Accessible can top

ABSTRACT

A can top may include a top section having a surface. The surface may have an extruded portion surrounding a hole. A break away section may removably cover the hole in the surface of the top section. A shaft may attach to the surface of the top section. A spring may have a first arm and a second arm. The first arm of the spring may attach to the surface of the top section. A tab may be attached to the second arm of the spring. The tab may have a lip extending upward away from the can along the first end and a flat surface on a second end of the tab.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to soda can tops and, more particularly, to an accessible can top.

Soda can tabs are flat and are hard to open for people with arthritis, nail biters and the like. People with problems opening up soda can tabs may give up and chose another option. Others may ask for assistance in opening the can.

As can be seen, there is a need for an accessible can top that allows for a faster opening of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a can top comprises: a top section having a surface, wherein the surface has an extruded portion surrounding a hole; a break away section removably covering the hole in the surface of the top section; a spring having a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm attaches to the surface of the top section; a shaft attached to and positioned in between the first arm of the spring and the second arm of the spring; and a tab attached to the second arm of the spring.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for opening a can comprises: pressing a first end of a tab of a can top, wherein the can top is defined by a top section having a surface, wherein the surface has an extruded portion surrounding a hole; a break away section removably covering the hole in the surface of the top section; a spring having a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm attaches to the surface of the top section; a shaft attached to and positioned in between the first arm of the spring and the second arm of the spring; and a tab attached to the second arm of the spring; wherein the second end of the tab lifts up from the motion of the first end tab being pressed; placing an object underneath the area of the second end of the tab; pulling upwards from the can top to continue moving the first end of the tab through the break away section; and releasing the second end of the tab, wherein the second end of the tab returns to the surface of the top section.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a can top that may include a top section having a surface. The surface may have an extruded portion surrounding a hole. A break away section may removably cover the hole in the surface of the top section. A shaft may attach to the surface of the top section. A spring may have a first arm and a second arm. The first arm of the spring may attach to the surface of the top section. A tab may be attached to the second arm of the spring. The tab may have a lip extending upward away from the can along the first end and a flat surface on a second end of the tab.

The present invention may be a fast and easy way to open a can. A spring loaded can tab may be pressed and a side lifts up from the surface breaking a break away portion from the surface of the top section with the other end of the tab. The can top may be beneficial for people who may have trouble with a standard can top such as people with arthritis, nail biters and the like.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, a can top may include a top section having a surface. The surface may include an extruded portion 26 surrounding a hole. A break away section 22 may removably cover the hole in the surface of the top section. A spring 10 may have a first arm 12 and a second arm 14. The first arm 12 may attach to the surface of the top section. A tab 20 may attach to the second arm 14 of the spring 10. In between the first arm 12 and the second arm 14 of the spring 10, may be a shaft 16.

In certain embodiments, the tab may have a first end and a second end. The first end may have a lip that extends upward away from the surface of the top section. The second end may have a flat surface. In certain embodiments, the ends 18 of the shaft 16 may be within the boundaries of the extruded portion. The surface of the top section may be circular in shape.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The can top may be placed on top of a can 24. A user may press down on the first end of the tab 20. Since the tab 20 is attached to the spring 10, the second end of the tab 20 raises like a seesaw with this pressing motion. The user may place an object underneath the second end of the tab 20. The user may take the object, such as a finger or the like, and continue to pull the second end of the tab 20 in an upward motion away from the top section. With this motion, the first end of the tab 20 may continue to move downwards towards the break away section 22. When the second end of the tab 20 is raised to a certain angle, the first end of the tab 20 may have applied enough pressure to the break away section 22 to push it through the hole of the surface of the top section. The user may release the second end of the tab 20 and the tab may return to its original position.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A can top comprising: a top section having a surface, wherein the surface has an extruded portion surrounding a hole; a break away section removably covering the hole in the surface of the top section; a spring having a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm attaches to the surface of the top section; a shaft attached to and positioned in between the first arm of the spring and the second arm of the spring; and a tab attached to the second arm of the spring.
 2. The can top of claim 1, wherein the surface of the top section is circular in shape.
 3. The can top of claim 1, wherein the shaft ends are within the boundaries of the extruded portion.
 4. The can top of claim 1, wherein the tab has a lip extending upward on a first end and a flat surface on a second end of the tab.
 5. A method for opening a can comprising: pressing a first end of a tab of a can top, wherein the can top is defined by a top section having a surface, wherein the surface has an extruded portion surrounding a hole; a break away section removably covering the hole in the surface of the top section; a spring having a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm attaches to the surface of the top section; a shaft attached to and positioned in between the first arm of the spring and the second arm of the spring; and a tab attached to the second arm of the spring; wherein the second end of the tab lifts up from the motion of the first end tab being pressed; placing an object underneath the area of the second end of the tab; pulling upwards from the can top to continue moving the first end of the tab through the break away section; and releasing the second end of the tab, wherein the second end of the tab returns to the surface of the top section.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the surface of the top section is circular in shape.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the shaft ends are within the boundaries of the extruded portion.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the tab has a lip extending upward on a first end and a flat surface on a second end of the tab. 